The 50 bestest people in Britain
50. Dale Vince
Dale Vince has never been content just standing still. Born in 1961 in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, his early years were defined not by boardrooms or business plans but by an almost nomadic lifestyle.
49. Heartworms
In a world overflowing with musical voices, few cut through the noise with such immediacy and conviction as Jojo Orme, better known as Heartworms.
48. Paris Lees
Paris Lees is a writer, broadcaster, and campaigner whose life and work exemplify resilience, creativity, and progress. Born in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire.
47. Steve Richards
Few commentators have the knack for making the complexities of politics both accessible and compelling quite like Steve Richards.
46. Baroness Shami Chakrabarti
Baroness Shami Chakrabarti has long been a leading voice for justice, fairness, and human rights in Britain.
45. Yvette Cooper
Yvette Cooper has spent decades at the heart of British politics, combining resilience, intelligence, and compassion in her long service to the public.
44. Mark Gatiss
Mark Gatiss has carved out one of the most distinctive careers in modern British culture, flourishing as an actor, writer, producer, and all-round storyteller.
43. George Monbiot
Few figures in British public life embody the spirit of conscience and conviction as powerfully as George Monbiot.
42. Kae Tempest
Kae Tempest is one of Britain’s most distinctive creative voices: a poet, playwright, musician, and novelist whose work resonates with truth, rhythm, and compassion.
41. Charlie Brooker
Charlie Brooker has spent his career holding up a magnifying glass to modern life — and often, what he shows us is equal parts hilarious and terrifying.
40. Chris Curtis MP
Chris Curtis represents the new wave of British politics: principled, thoughtful, and determined to make a difference.
39. Lewis Goodall
Lewis Goodall has emerged as one of Britain’s most dynamic political journalists, bringing intelligence, empathy, and accessibility to the often-murky world of Westminster.
38. Tom Hardy
Tom Hardy is one of Britain’s most beloved actors, celebrated for his versatility, intensity, and magnetic screen presence.
37. Ian Hislop
Ian Hislop has been the watchful eye and sharp tongue of British satire for more than three decades.
36. Kevin Maguire
Kevin Maguire has built a career as one of Britain’s most recognisable political journalists, admired for his sharp commentary and working-class perspective.
35. Caroline Lucas
Caroline Lucas has been a trailblazer for environmental politics in Britain. Born in Malvern in 1960, she studied English at Exeter University before earning a PhD in literature and feminism.
34. Mary in the Junkyard
Every so often, a band arrives that feels less like a debut and more like a revelation. Mary in the Junkyard are one of those rare acts.
33. Elizabeth Fraser
Elizabeth Fraser is one of the most singular and transcendent voices ever to emerge from Britain’s musical landscape.
32. Ed Miliband
Ed Miliband has long been one of the most fascinating figures in modern British politics: a leader, thinker, and reformer...
31. Kane “Kano” Robinson
Kane Brett Robinson, known to the world as Kano, is one of the towering figures of British music and culture.
30. Hardeep Matharu
Hardeep Matharu has emerged as one of Britain’s most thoughtful and compelling journalists, a writer and editor...
29. Lucy Bronze MBE
Lucy Bronze has become a symbol of excellence, determination, and inspiration in British sport.
28. Sir Stephen Fry
Stephen Fry is a true national treasure: actor, writer, comedian, presenter, and cultural ambassador.
27. Ella Purnell
Ella Purnell has blossomed into one of Britain’s most captivating young talents, with a career that already showcases remarkable range and promise.
26. Bella Ramsey
Bella Ramsey has captured hearts worldwide with their fearless performances and magnetic screen presence.
25. Emilia Clarke
Emilia Clarke is a household name, an actress whose charisma, warmth, and talent have made her one of Britain’s most celebrated stars.
24. Charli XCX
Charli XCX has always been ahead of the curve, but with the release of Brat in 2024 she cemented her place as one...
23. Ash Sarkar
Ash Sarkar has become one of Britain’s most recognisable radical thinkers, a journalist and commentator who brings clarity, conviction...
22. Sir Sadiq Khan
Sadiq Khan has made history more than once: first as Britain’s most senior Muslim politician, then as London’s first Muslim Mayor
21. The New Eves
The New Eves are one of the most exciting new bands to emerge from Britain’s alternative music scene, bringing raw energy, originality...
20. Jasmine Jobson
Jasmine Jobson is one of Britain’s most electrifying young actresses, a performer whose intensity and authenticity have made her unforgettable.
19. Aaron Bastani
Aaron Bastani has become one of Britain’s most provocative and imaginative political thinkers, a writer and broadcaster who isn’t afraid to dream big.
18. Nick Abbot
Nick Abbot has been making British audiences laugh, think, and occasionally shout at their radios for decades.
17. Alastair Campbell
Alastair Campbell has lived several lives: journalist, political strategist, communicator, campaigner, and now bestselling author and podcaster.
15. Frankie Boyle
Frankie Boyle has never been one to pull a punch. Born in Glasgow in 1972, he exploded onto the scene in the 2000s as one of the sharpest...
14. Carla Denyer
Carla Denyer has quickly become one of the most important voices in Britain’s environmental and progressive politics.
13. Stephen Bush
Stephen Bush has become one of Britain’s most trusted political journalists, admired for his sharp analysis and clear-eyed commentary.
12. Banksy
Banksy is Britain’s most mysterious cultural icon — a street artist whose identity remains secret, but whose impact is known worldwide.
11. Rachel Reeves
Rachel Reeves has made history as Britain’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer, a role she assumed in 2024 under Keir Starmer.
10. Afua Hirsch
Afua Hirsch has become one of the most important intellectuals and cultural commentators of modern Britain, a writer, broadcaster, and thinker whose work challenges society to see itself more clearly.
9. Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan has built a career as one of the world’s most formidable interviewers and political commentators, a journalist...
8. PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey, universally known as PJ Harvey, is one of Britain’s greatest musical artists — a songwriter, musician...
7. Emily Maitlis
Emily Maitlis is one of Britain’s most formidable broadcasters, a journalist whose precision, poise, and courage have defined an era of public service journalism.
6. Stewart Lee
Stewart Lee has built a career unlike any other in British comedy: uncompromising, cerebral, self-aware, and yet consistently hilarious.
5. Mia Goth
Mia Goth has become one of the defining screen presences of her generation, an actress whose name is now synonymous with daring
4. Little Simz
Little Simz, born Simbiatu Abisola Abiola Ajikawo in 1994, has become one of Britain’s most extraordinary cultural forces
3. James O’Brien
James O’Brien has become one of the most distinctive and courageous broadcasters in Britain, a voice who cuts through confusion with eloquence, humour, and moral conviction.
2. Chloe Kelly
Chloe Kelly will forever be remembered as the Lioness who delivered England the moment it had been waiting for — not once, but twice.
1. Baroness Ayesha Hazarika
Few figures in modern Britain embody both the seriousness of politics and the joy of humour as brilliantly as Ayesha Hazarika.